William h



(No Model.)-

W. H. WRIGHT & J. G. DELLJ UOUPLING FOR HAMMOGK S PPORTS.- No. 605,367. Patented June 7,1898.

llwrrnn STATES J me WILLIAM H. XVRIGHT AND JAMES G. DELLOFJIUNTINGDON, PENN- SYLVANIA. W

COUPLING FOR HAMMOCK-SUPPQRTS.

SPECIFIGATIOIF forming part of Letters Patent No. 605,367, dated June 7, 1898. Application filed J'anuaryl fi, 1898. Serial No. 666,785. (No model.)

To a, whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM H. WRIGHT and JAMES G. DELL, citizens of the United States, residing at Huntingdon', in the county of Huntingdon and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and. useful Improvements in Couplings for Hammock-Supports, &c.; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in folding hammocksupports and to novel couplings whereby the strips of the supports may be securely held together or allowed to be folded when it is desired to pack the support for transportation or other purposes.

More specifically the invention consists in the provision of a coupling for the supporting-strips of a hammock-stand, ladder, or other device in which the ends to be coupled are hinged together, while side plates are provided which engage in loops on opposite sides of the adjacent ends of the strips, and then the provision of spring-actuated lockingplates on the upper edges of the strips, whereby when the two ends are brought together and coupled the strips are held in alinement and ,a secure coupling effected which will withstand a lateral as well as a vertical pressure.

To these ends and to such others as the invention may pertain the same consists, fur ther, in the novel construction, combination, and adaptation of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and then specifically defined in the appended claim. The present invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference markedthereon, form a part of this application, and in which- Figure 1 isa perspective View of a 11ammock-support, showing the horizontal beam held together withithe improved coupling apparatus. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the joint of the coupling broken, shown as a.

perspective view. Fig. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal view througlrthe coupling members locked together.

Reference now being bad to the details of the drawings by letter, A A designate the sections of the horizontal portion of the hammock-support, which sections have hinged at their outer ends the braced legs B. Between the legs are suitable hooks O forsupporting the ends of the hammock. Underneath the said sections A are hinged the braces D, the lower free ends of which are beveled and designed to engage in notches in the sides of the legs when the support is erected for use. The adjacent meeting ends of the said pieces A are hinged together by means of a plate E, and plates F, having notches F, are secured to the broad sides of the sections A, one on eachsection on opposite sides thereof. Each section A has secured to the side carrying the notched plate a plate G, and passing through each of said plates G is the loop H, set preferably at such an angle as to receive the notches in the plates F when the sections are brought into alinement, as shown in Fig.1 of the drawings. Each broad side of the sections i's similarly equipped, so that the ends, when thus held together, are securely held against a lateral pressure. In order to hold the sections inalinement, the interlocking spring-strips K and L are employed, which are secured to the edges of the sections A A, and one of the sections to which a springplate L is attached is recessed out, as at A, so as to allow the end of the spring-strip to be depressed therein, so as to allow the interlocking ends of the spring-strips to be disengaged when it is desired to fold the frame.

While we'have shown our coupler as used 'in connection with a hainmock support, it will beunderstood that it is equally as well adapted for use in connection with other coupling-strips, ladders, &c.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim to be new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is j A coupling for ham mock-supports,-ladders or other strips, consisting of the two sections hinged together the notched plates fastened to the sides of the sections, the plates and loops passing through the same and secured to the sections, and the two interlocking spring-strips on the upper edges of the said sections, as shown and described.

In testimony whereof We aflix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM H. VVRIGI'IT. JAMES G. DELL. WVitnesses:

HATTIE HEATON, J M. WATSON. 

